In my time I have seen a lot of strange virus and diseases are you at risk of views in safety and others?

As I sipped my morning coffee and read the safety pages at 3 am as usual, I was reminded, It’s strange how we treat others with disabilities at work and in society.   When I was young ( no Mosses did not make me his older brother) the local events and circus would display people with strange disease so others could mock in amazement or stare at them like WTH is that.

  Not sure why they did that and were they looking at the disease and causes or looking at what does this person bring to society past their current  medical status.

A prime example of this would be Epidermodysplasia verruciformis or colloquially called tree man illness is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder that affects your skin and increases the risk of carcinoma of the skin. It causes abnormal susceptibility to human papillomaviruses (HPVs), which eventually leads to the overgrowth of scaly macules and papules, especially on the feet and hands. Although several types of HPVs contribute to this condition, HPV types 5 and 8 are most commonly associated with tree man illness. These types are usually found in more than 80% of normal population but they aren't reactive and don't cause any symptoms either. The cause of the condition is an inactivating PH mutation in either the EVER1 or EVER2 genes, which are located adjacent to one another on chromosome 17. The precise function of these genes is not yet fully understood, but they play a role in regulating the distribution of zinc in the cell nuclei. Zinc is a necessary cofactor for many viral proteins, and the activity of EVER1/EVER2 complex appears to restrict the access of viral proteins to cellular zinc stores, limiting their growth.   So was the real cause the ROOT CAUSE chemical based and can others be affected by the same risks.

So in walks our society a legal human rights society that states ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE DISABILITY you have certain rights and everyone in the workplace must know them.   SOME OF MY BEST TALENTS IN LIFE AND THINGS THAT I USE EVERY DAY were taught to me not by my parents, teachers or supervisor or a so called NORMAL PERSON ( whatever that is), but by a person with severe disabilities not just in mobility but in almost every feature and I am thankful every day for that training and education.

He taught me the following as safety professional: to be person-centered means the following:

• treating individuals and family members with dignity and respect;
• helping individuals and families become empowered to set and reach their personal goals;
• recognizing the right of individuals to make informed choices, and take responsibility for those choices and related risks;
• building on the strengths, gifts, talents, skills, and contributions of the individual and those who know and care about the individual;
• fostering community connections in which individuals can develop relationships, learn, work and produce income, actively participate in community life, and achieve their full potential;
• promising to listen and act on what the individual communicates;
• pledging to be honest when trying to balance what is important to and for the person;
• seeking to understand individuals in the context of their age, gender, culture, ethnicity, belief system, social and income status, education, family, and any other factors that make them unique;
• acknowledging and valuing families and supporting their efforts to assist family members;
• recognizing and supporting mutually respectful partnerships among individuals, their families, communities, providers, and professionals;
• advocating for laws, rules, and procedures for providing services, treatment, and support that meet an individual’s needs and honor personal goals; and
• endorsing responsible use of public resources to assure that qualified individuals are served fairly and according to need.

And although I have to wear glasses and cannot run anymore due to job related leg injury in law enforcement I consider myself not disabled special in anyway.   But to someone who can run like the wind or can still see the pimple on a Eagle at 500 m my eye site or mobility is a disability.

People with developmental disabilities dare to dream outside the box of standard social services options with the guidance of astute, creative professionals, family, and community. “I have a dream today…” intoned Martin Luther King, Jr., as he painted his vision for America’s future. From that moment, America was changed. 

One reason is that some people feel sorry for people with disabilities, and assume that they are bitter about their disabilities. This is untrue in many cases. Lots of people with disabilities feel that their lives are enriched by their experiences with disability, and even if given the chance to erase their disability would choose not to.

One basic question many people have is: What is appropriate terminology, for example, disability, impairment, or handicap? When you're working with someone, you can ask what terminology he or she prefers. When you're speaking in public or writing, you'll need to do a little research to ensure that you use widely-accepted terminology and avoid potentially offensive terminology. The most important thing to know when interacting with people with disabilities is that they are people. And just like all people, they are very different, including being different in how they are with disability issues.

Some people prefer different terms, some get very upset about terminology, and some don't care. Some people get very upset about accessibility barriers and lash out at those responsible; some are very patient with accessibility barriers and are appreciative and supportive of people and organizations that are trying to fix barriers.

Some people really appreciate the opportunity to talk about their disability and educate people about accessibility issues, and others don't like to talk about it at all. After you know someone a little, you might ask, "I'm curious about your using a wheelchair. Are you comfortable talking about it, or would you prefer not to?"

Once I got to know a couple of people with disabilities personally, all sorts of incorrect assumptions and false stereotypes cleared up.

Don't make assumptions about people or their disabilities. Don't assume you know what someone wants, what he feels, or what is best for him. If you have a question about what to do, how to do it, what language or terminology to use, or what assistance to offer, ask him. That person should be your first and best resource.

Remember that people with disabilities have different preferences. Just because one person with a disability prefers something one way doesn't mean that another person with the same disability also prefers it that way.

Ask before you help. Before you help someone, ask if she would like help. In some cases a person with a disability might seem to be struggling, yet she is fine and would prefer to complete the task on her own. Follow the person's cues and ask if you are not sure what to do. Don't be offended if someone declines your offer of assistance.

Talk directly to the user, not to the interpreter, attendant, or friend. You don't need to ignore the others entirely; just make sure to focus your interaction with the user. When a user who is deaf has an interpreter, the user will look at the interpreter as you are talking. It might take a little extra effort to remember to face the user rather than the interpreter.

If you will be speaking for some time with a person in a wheelchair, sit down so that you are at eye level with her so she doesn't have to strain her neck to look up at you.

Speak normally. Some people have a tendency to talk louder and slower to people with disabilities; don't. Don't assume that because a person has one disability, that he also has a cognitive disability or is hard of hearing. For example, a person with cerebral palsy might use a wheelchair, have uncontrolled upper body movements, have difficulty speaking, and yet have very good hearing, cognitive abilities, and intelligence.

Use normal language including "see" and "look." It's fine to use common phrases such as, "Do you see what I mean?" even to people who are blind. People who are blind often make comments such as, "I can't find what I'm looking for," and "I don't see it on this [web] page."

Use "people-first" language when referring to people with disabilities. People-first language means put the person first and the disability second. For example, say "a man who is blind" rather than "a blind man," and "a woman who uses a wheelchair" instead of "a wheelchair-bound woman." Use people-first language when speaking with people with disabilities, and when speaking and writing about people with disabilities.

Avoid potentially offensive terms or euphemisms. Commonly accepted terminology includes "people with disabilities" and "a person with a visual/hearing/physical/speech/cognitive impairment." Many people find annoying or offensive: restricted to a wheelchair, victim of, suffers from, retarded, deformed, crippled, and euphemisms such as physically challenged. If you are unsure, ask the person with a disability what terminology they  prefer.

Be aware of personal space. Some people who use a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair, walker, or cane, see these aids as part of their personal space. Don't touch, move, or lean on mobility aids.